The All-new Hyundai Accent has made its world premiere at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Since its launch in 1994, the car has steadily gained popularity and built a firm foundation for the fifth-generation model.
[ads id=”0″ style=”float:left;padding:6px;”]2018 Accent builds on the strengths of its predecessors, incorporating Hyundai’s modern engineering prowess and expertise in research and development. The All-new Accent boasts bold design, a sophisticated interior, a more efficient powertrain, noticeably reduced cabin noise, and significantly enhanced driving dynamics. Highlighting Hyundai Motor’s leadership in automotive innovation, the company’s newest subcompact car is equipped with the latest in safety technologies and convenience features.
The Accent four-door sedan will begin to arrive in markets globally from the third quarter this year, followed by the All-new Accent 5-door the next quarter.
Driver-focused engineering and enhanced safety
The All-new Accent is set to raise the segment benchmarks for driving dynamics and safety while delivering outstanding fuel efficiency and maintaining Hyundai’s competitive position for unbeatable value. Defined by its solidity, the All-new Accent uses 54.5% Advanced High-Strength Steel – up from 41.5% in the fourth generation – from the company’s affiliate Hyundai Steel plant. In addition, the Accent’s chassis has improved torsional rigidity by 32% by using 98.5 meters of structural adhesives to enhance rigidity.
This new, rigid chassis improves quality perception, noise isolation, and driving dynamics. The application of Advanced High-Strength Steel improves collision performance without adding unnecessary weight, which helps reduce fuel consumption and deliver better driving feel.
Improved ride comfort, handling, and stability are achieved through suspension developments. While the All-new Accent’s steering feel has been refined with improvements to steering efficiency, enhancements to handling and comfort also have been made by lifting up the rear roll center and raising the leverage ratio of the rear shock absorbers. The standard Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system instantly adjusts to changing driving conditions for greater precision and steering feel while improving fuel economy.
[ads id=”0″ style=”float:left;padding:6px;”]
Striking exterior design
The All-new Accent’s design exhibits confidence and sophistication with sculpted body forms and smoothly contoured lines that deliver a new interpretation of Hyundai’s signature design language.
The new car features Hyundai Motor’s signature cascading grille, a visual design cue that is integral to the company’s identity. The grille is flanked by wrap-around headlights and signature LED daytime running lights.
The All-new Accent has a sweeping roof profile, and a sharp character line running the length of the car where it meets slim and sporty rear combination lamps at the rear, set above a slim and modern rear bumper. Features such as 17-inch alloy wheels and side mirror LED turn signal indicators add to the premium feel of the car.
The car’s form is also functional, achieving balance between design and engineering to combine stand-out styling with aerodynamic enhancements. The underside of the car is sculpted for aerodynamic benefit, and a new front lip spoiler, together with reduced ground clearance of 10mm, contribute to the Accent’s efficient design.
Compared to the last generation, the Accent is 29mm wider and the overall length is increased by 15mm, yet its height remains unchanged, all of which combines to give the car a more grounded stance. The wheelbase is 10mm wider, pushing the wheels further to the corners and improving interior roominess.
Like the sedan, the Accent 5-door has also grown its key measurements, notably to its length, increasing a substantial 70mm. Width and wheelbase are also up by 29mm and 10mm respectively, while height is unchanged.
Modern interior design
The interior of the Accent continues the modern, confident, sophisticated promise displayed by the car’s exterior. A driver-oriented layout with intuitive controls adds to the improved interior roominess, high-quality materials, and premium technology features raise the standard for subcompact vehicles. With premium, soft-touch materials at key touchpoints and high-tech convenience features, drivers and passengers are welcomed in to an inviting and comfortable environment.
[ads id=”0″ style=”float:left;padding:6px;”]A wide instrument panel features a reversing-camera system as standard with options of either a five- or seven-inch color TFT LCD instrument display. Beneath the color screen, the control panel is laid out in a logical, horizontal pattern boosting ergonomics and ease of use.
The seat frame is engineered to be lightweight but extremely strong to help keep occupants safe in collisions, while the seat firmness is adjustable to help reduce driver fatigue over long distances.
For added comfort and convenience, front-seat passengers may use heated seats, while the rear seat folds 60/40 in both the sedan and 5-door. The Accent also boasts total interior volume more commonly found in larger vehicles – the new car’s total passenger volume is up 36 liters, while the Accent 5-door’s passenger volume is increased by 38 liters. The trunk space also features greater space, increasing by a substantial 16 liters, partly due to the extended overall length.
Efficient powertrain
The All-new Accent receives a revised powertrain tuned for improved fuel efficiency and every day drivability. The 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) engine produces 132hp and estimated 119lb. ft. of torque. Compared to the previous generation Accent, the engine’s powerband has improved with a 4.6% increase in torque from 1,500rpm to make every day drivability easier. Specifically, the acceleration performance for 40-80km/h and 80-120km/h has been improved over the previous model by 0.2 and 1.3 seconds, respectively.
The 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder GDI engine is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission, while fuel efficiency has also been improved by 7% overall. In the engine, components such as low-friction piston rings, a variable fuel pressure module, and upgraded software for the engine control module improve overall operation. Furthermore, with improvements to the return springs in the braking system, drive friction has been reduced. The automatic transmission has also been redesigned to reduce the unit’s overall weight by 2kg and improve operational efficiency.
In addition, Accent vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions will include the company’s Drive Mode Select feature to adjust both powertrain performance and steering calibration, allowing the driver to customize the driving character by selecting from two modes: Normal or Sport, by simply touching a button on the center console.
[ads id=”0″ style=”float:left;padding:6px;”]
Comprehensive safety and convenience
In addition to the high-strength chassis, the Accent features several improvements to the front side members and inner side sill to improve collision protection. The front crumple zones have been increased, front side air bags have been upgraded, and reinforcements have been made to improve the car’s performance in small overlap crashes.
A six-airbag system is standard along with Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Traction Control, and ABS.
The Accent offers a wide array of advanced safety technologies to provide another layer of protection for passengers. As a segment first, the Accent offers Autonomous Emergency Braking, which utilizes a front forward-facing radar to detect a vehicle and warn the driver of a potential collision. If the driver does not react to avoid the impact, the system will apply emergency braking. Additionally the All-new Accent comes with a rear view camera with dynamic guidance.
Most trims in the Accent will feature technologies that go beyond the subcompact competition in terms of driver confidence and convenience. For example, the Accent also offers a proximity key with push button start, so drivers never need to take out a key from their pocket or purse in order to start the car.
Advanced connectivity and multimedia
An advanced infotainment system that includes a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen system and rearview camera will be available in select markets. The 7-inch display will also include both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless and intuitive operation of the most commonly used smartphone functions including app-based navigation, streaming audio, and voice-controlled search capabilities. The Accent also offers dual iPhone/USB and auxiliary input jacks.
2018 Accent Sedan Proportions
| Specification | 2017 Accent | Change | 2018 Accent |
| Overall Length (mm) | 4,370 | +15 | 4,385 |
| Overall Width (mm) | 1,700 | +29 | 1,729 |
| Overall Height (mm) | 1,450 | – | 1,450 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,570 | +10 | 2,580 |
| Curb weight (kg) | 1,155 | +10 | 1,165 |
2018 Accent 5-door Proportions
| Specification | 2017 Accent | Change | 2018 Accent |
| Overall Length (mm) | 4,115 | +70 | 4,185 |
| Overall Width (mm) | 1,700 | +29 | 1,729 |
| Overall Height (mm) | 1,450 | – | 1,450 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,570 | +10 | 2,580 |
| Curb weight (kg) | 1,159 | TBD | TBD |
2018 Accent Sedan Interior Volume
| Specification (Liters) | 2018 Hyundai Accent Sedan |
| Passenger Volume | 2,555 |
| Cargo Volume | 387 |
2018 Accent 5-door Interior Volume
| Specification (Liters) | 2018 Hyundai Accent 5-door |
| Passenger Volume | 2,576 |
| Cargo Volume | 616 |
[ads id=”0″ style=”float:left;padding:6px;”]
